The Kings acquired veteran defenseman Dion Phaneuf in a four-player trade with the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday night.

Phaneuf and forward Nate Thompson join the Kings, who sent forwards Marian Gaborik and Nick Shore to Ottawa. The teams announced the trade Tuesday night after the Senators’ loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, in which Phaneuf was pulled from the bench mid-game.

The deal gives the playoff-contending Kings more depth on the blue line as they assume the final three-plus years of Phaneuf’s contract, though the Senators are retaining 25 percent of his salary and $7 million salary-cap hit. The 32-year-old Phaneuf has 16 points in 52 games this season and 478 in 954 games during his 13-year NHL career.

“Dion brings to our club a great deal of experience and leadership,” Kings general manager Rob Blake said of the three-time All-Star. “He also plays with a physical edge which complements our lineup well.

“Nate has a good reputation of being a high-energy player on the ice. Both guys are also high-character guys.”

Phaneuf was traded again almost exactly two years after the Senators got him from the Toronto Maple Leafs. In trading Phaneuf, Ottawa saves money even as it takes on the 35-year-old Gaborik’s contract, which has about $11 million left on it over the next three years.

“Marian has enjoyed a tremendous career to date and has played an integral role with our team over the years, including a Stanley Cup championship,” Blake said. “Nick is a hard-worker who came up through our system and has developed into a solid NHL player.”

Phaneuf went into Tuesday’s game having played in 955 career regular-season games. He has 478 points (133 goals, 345 assists) and 1,277 penalty minutes in his career. This season, he has 16 points (three goals) and 34 penalty minutes. He has also played in 51 career playoff games. The 6-foot-4, 225-pounder was an All-Star in 2007, 2008 and 2012.

Thompson, 33, has played in 593 career games. He has 11 points (four goals) and 10 penalty minutes this season. The 6-1, 214-pounder from Anchorage, Alaska has played with the Senators, Lightning, Ducks, Bruins and Islanders, and has recorded 122 points (52 goals) and 309 penalty minutes. He has also played in 58 career playoff games.

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